Plasticizing device, injection device, molding apparatus, and manufacturing method of molded parts

ABSTRACT

1. A plasticizing device includes a barrel including a resin material supply port portion and a fiber supply port portion which is formed on a distal side from the resin material supply port portion; and a screw that comprises a shaft body and a flight, and is received in the barrel. The barrel is disposed with a posture in which its axial line intersects a gravitational direction. A maximum length of an opening in the barrel of the fiber supply port portion along an axial direction of the barrel is 1 time or more and 2 times or less as much as a pitch of the flight disposed in a portion of the screw which faces the opening in the barrel of the fiber supply port portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial line of the barrel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No.PCT/JP2015/075927, filed Sep. 11, 2015 in Japanese.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromprior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2014-186608, filed Sep. 12, 2014,and No. 2015-180176, filed Sep. 11, 2015, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a plasticizing device to knead a resinand a fiber, an injection device, a molding apparatus, and amanufacturing method of molded parts.

2. Description of the Related Art

In injection molding, a resin material is used as a parent material, andthis parent material is kneaded with a reinforcing fiber such as acarbon fiber or a glass fiber to form a molten resin. Then, the moltenresin is injected into a mold, thereby improving strength or rigidity ofmolded parts. When the molten resin is kneaded, the reinforcing fiber isuniformly dispersed in the resin.

A molding apparatus to perform such injection molding has, for example,the mold, a clamping device to clamp the mold, and an injection deviceto inject the molten resin into the mold (e.g., see Patent Literature1). The injection device has a plasticizing section (a plasticizingdevice) which melts the resin material and kneads this resin materialand the reinforcing fiber, thereby forming the molten resin, and aninjecting section to inject the molten resin into the mold.

The plasticizing section has, for example, a barrel having an innerhole, a screw received in the inner hole of the barrel to rotate in theinner hole, a heater attached to an outer peripheral surface of thebarrel, and others.

The barrel has a supply port for the resin material which is formed in,for example, a portion on a proximal side of the barrel and to which theresin material in the form of pellets is supplied, and a supply port forthe reinforcing fiber which is formed separately from the supply portfor the resin material and to which the reinforcing fiber is supplied.

The reinforcing fiber is, for example, a longitudinal thread and isdisposed in a wound state around a bobbin. The reinforcing fiber iswound around the molten resin that spirally flows in a valley portion ofthe screw which rotates in the barrel, and is accordingly pulled intothe barrel.

In the plasticizing section having such a constitution, the reinforcingfiber supplied from the supply port for the reinforcing fiber to theresin material is kneaded with the resin material supplied from thesupply port for the resin material into the inner hole of the barrelwhile the resin material is molten, whereby the molten resin is formed,and is then pushed out to the injecting section.

The injecting section performs a measuring operation of measuring themolten resin including the fiber supplied from the plasticizing device,and an injecting operation of injecting the molten resin into the mold.

Patent Literature 1: Jpn. PCT National Publication No. 2008-515682

The above-mentioned molding apparatus has such problems as mentionedbelow. That is, when variation is generated in a pull-in amount of areinforcing fiber to be pulled into a barrel per unit time, variation isgenerated in an amount of the reinforcing fiber per unit volume of amolten resin molten in the barrel, in other words, unevenness isgenerated in a dispersed state of the reinforcing fiber in the moltenresin, and as a result, there is the possibility that physicalproperties such as strength and rigidity of molded parts vary.

As a cause for the generation of the variation in the pull-in amount ofthe reinforcing fiber to be pulled into the barrel per unit time, forexample, it is considered that, when the reinforcing fiber is pulledinto the barrel, the reinforcing fiber comes in contact with an edge ofa support port for the reinforcing fiber to generate a pull-inresistance, or the reinforcing fiber hits a corner of the supply port,thereby changing a tensile force that acts on the reinforcing fiber.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a plasticizing device,an injection device, a molding apparatus, and a manufacturing method ofmolded parts in which it is possible to manufacture the molded partswhich are uniform in physical properties such as strength and rigidity.

A plasticizing device of the invention includes a barrel comprising aresin material supply port portion which is formed in a peripheral wallportion and to which a resin material is supplied, and a fiber supplyport portion which is formed on a distal side from the resin materialsupply port portion in the peripheral wall portion and to which acontinuous fiber is supplied; and a screw that comprises a shaft body,and a flight of a spiral shape formed integrally on a peripheral surfaceof the shaft body to have a predetermined pitch, and is received in thebarrel, wherein the barrel is disposed with a posture in which its axialline intersects a gravitational direction, and a maximum length of anopening in the barrel of the fiber supply port portion along an axialdirection of the barrel is 1 time or more and 2 times or less as much asa pitch of the flight disposed in a portion of the screw which faces theopening in the barrel of the fiber supply port portion in a directionperpendicular to the axial line of the barrel.

In a preferable embodiment of the invention, in a planar view of thefiber supply port portion when the fiber supply port portion is seen inthe gravitational direction, one end of the opening of the fiber supplyport portion in a width direction perpendicular to the axial directionis located between a position distant as much as the distance R(√3/2),in which R is an inner diameter of the barrel, from the axial line inthe width direction and a position distant as much as the distance Rfrom the axial line in the width direction, including these twopositions, in a range where a rotating direction of the screw around theaxial line becomes a downward direction along the gravitationaldirection.

In a preferable embodiment of the invention, in the planar view of thefiber supply port portion when the fiber supply port portion is seen inthe gravitational direction, the one end of the opening of the fibersupply port portion in the width direction is located at the positiondistant as much as the distance R from the axial line in the range wherethe rotating direction of the screw around the axial line becomes thedownward direction along the gravitational direction.

In a preferable embodiment of the invention, in the planar view of thefiber supply port portion when the fiber supply port portion is seen inthe gravitational direction, the other end of the fiber supply portportion in the width direction is located in a range where the rotatingdirection of the screw around the axial line becomes an upward directionalong the gravitational direction.

In a preferable embodiment of the invention, the screw comprises asupplying section, a compressing section, a measuring section, a fiberpull-in section, and a fiber kneading section, and the sections arearranged in order from a proximal end of the screw toward a distal endthereof, the fiber pull-in section faces the opening in the directionperpendicular to the axial line, and in the shaft body, a diameter of aportion in which the fiber pull-in section is formed is smaller than adiameter of a portion in which the measuring section is formed and adiameter of a portion in which the fiber kneading section is formed.

An injection device of the invention includes the plasticizing device; adischarging section connected to a distal end of the barrel; and aninjecting section coupled with the discharging section and configured toinject a resin supplied through the discharging section and molten andkneaded in the plasticizing device.

A molding apparatus of the invention Includes the injection device; anda mold device configured to clamp a mold into which the resin isinjected by the injection device.

A manufacturing method of molded parts of the invention includessupplying a resin material, into a barrel that receives a screw, from aresin material supply port portion formed in a peripheral wall portionof the barrel; and supplying a continuous fiber into the barrel from afiber supply port portion formed on a distal side of the barrel from theresin material supply port portion in the peripheral wall portion of thebarrel and having an opening that communicates with the inside of thebarrel, wherein a maximum length of the barrel along an axial directionthereof is 1 time or more and 2 times or less as much as a pitch of aflight disposed in a portion of the screw which faces the opening of thefiber supply port portion in a direction perpendicular to an axial lineof the barrel.

According to the present invention, there are provided a plasticizingdevice, an injection device, a molding apparatus and a manufacturingmethod of molded parts in which it is possible to prevent generation ofvariation of an amount of a reinforcing fiber to be pulled into an innerhole of a barrel, and hence it is possible to manufacture the moldedparts which are uniform in physical properties such as strength andrigidity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the general description given above and the detaileddescription of the embodiments given below, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a molding apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present invention in a partially cut state;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where the vicinity of a fibersupply port portion of a barrel of the molding apparatus is seen alongan upward-downward direction;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the barrel is cutalong a cross section passing an axial line of the barrel;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the barrel and ascrew are cut along a cross section perpendicular to the axial line;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the barrel is cutalong the cross section perpendicular to the axial line;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the barrel and the screw in a partiallycut state;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state where the fiber supply portportion is seen along the upward-downward direction;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the barrel andthe screw are cut along the cross section perpendicular to the axialline;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state where the fiber supply portportion is seen along the upward-downward direction;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the barrel and the screw in apartially cut state;

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a modification of the barrel;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a modification of the barrel;

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a modification of the barrel;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a modification of the barrel;

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a modification of the barrel;

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a modification of the barrel;

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a modification of the barrel;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the modification of thebarrel;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the modification of thebarrel; and

FIG. 20 is a side view showing a modification of a plasticizing deviceof the molding apparatus in a partially cut state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A molding apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19. FIG. 1 is a sideview showing the molding apparatus 10 in a partially cut state. As shownin FIG. 1, the molding apparatus 10 is, for example, a preliminarilyplasticizing type injection molding apparatus.

The molding apparatus 10 has, for example, an injection device 20, amold set 80 that receives a molten resin injected by the injectiondevice 20, a clamping device 90 that clamps the mold set 80, and acontroller 100.

Here, an upward-downward direction G and a forward-backward direction Lare set to the molding apparatus 10. A direction in which gravity actsis defined as a downward direction, thereby setting the upward-downwarddirection G. A direction of the injection device 20 toward the mold set80 is defined as a forward direction, thereby setting theforward-backward direction L.

The injection device 20 has a plasticizing device 30 as a plasticizingsection which melts a resin material M to form a molten resin and kneadsthis molten resin with a fiber F, and an injecting section 70 whichmeasures and injects the molten resin. The fiber F is one example of areinforcing fiber.

The plasticizing device 30 is configured to melt and plasticize theresin material M and to knead the molten resin with the fiber F that isthe reinforcing fiber. The plasticizing device 30 has a barrel 40, adischarging section 47 connected to a distal end of the barrel 40, ahopper section 46, a heater 45 that is capable of heating the barrel 40,the fiber F, a screw 50 received in the barrel 40, and a screw drivingsection 60 which rotates and drives the screw 50.

The barrel 40 is, for example, a hollow cylindrical body in which aninner space forming an inner hole 40 a is surrounded with a peripheralwall portion 40 d, and the barrel is formed so that the screw 50 can bereceived in the barrel.

The barrel 40 is coupled with the injecting section 70 with a posturethat the distal end of the barrel in a longitudinal direction isdirected on a mold set 80 side, a proximal end thereof is directed on ascrew driving section 60 side opposite to the mold set 80, and an axialline A1 extending in the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to theupward-downward direction G, i.e., the posture that the axial line A1 isparallel to a horizontal direction.

In the barrel 40, a resin material supply port portion 41 is formed inthe peripheral wall portion 40 d on a proximal side. Furthermore, in thebarrel 40, a fiber supply port portion 42 is formed in the peripheralwall portion 40 d that is a portion between the distal end and the resinmaterial supply port portion 41.

The resin material supply port portion 41 is formed in an upper portionof the peripheral wall portion 40 d of the barrel 40, and passes throughthe peripheral wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the axialline A1. Via the resin material supply port portion 41, the inside ofthe barrel 40 communicates with the outside thereof. In the resinmaterial supply port portion 41, the hopper section 46 to store theresin material M is provided.

Examples of the resin material M include various types of thermoplasticresins such as a polyethylene-based resin, a polypropylene-based resin,an acrylic resin and an ABS resin. Furthermore, in one example, theresin material M is formed in pellets. In another example, the resinmaterial M may be constituted of a resin material of a continuous shapecut into lengths each of which is equal to a length of each pellet byuse of a cutting device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where the vicinity of the fibersupply port portion 42 of the barrel 40 is seen along theupward-downward direction G. In other words, FIG. 2 is a plan viewshowing a state where the vicinity of the fiber supply port portion 42of the barrel 40 is seen along the direction perpendicular to the axialline A1. Here, a width direction W is set. The direction perpendicularto the axial line A1 when seeing the fiber supply port portion 42 alongthe upward-downward direction G is defined as the width direction W.FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the barrel 40 iscut along a cross section passing the axial line A1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fiber supply port portion 42 is formed inthe upper portion of the peripheral wall portion 40 d of the barrel 40,and passes through the peripheral wall portion of the barrel 40 in thedirection perpendicular to the axial line A1, i.e., the upward-downwarddirection G. The fiber supply port portion 42 has a cross section of aconstant shape in its pass-through direction, i.e., the directionperpendicular to the axial line A1.

That is, a sectional shape of the fiber supply port portion 42 which isperpendicular to the upward-downward direction G from a first opening 43that opens in an outer peripheral surface 40 b of the barrel 40 to asecond opening 44 that opens in the inner hole 40 a of the barrel 40 isformed to be constant in the upward-downward direction G (the directionperpendicular to the axial line A1). The first opening 43 indicates aportion that intersects the outer peripheral surface 40 b of the barrel40. The second opening 44 indicates a portion that intersects an innerperipheral surface 40 c of the barrel 40.

More specifically, planar shapes of the openings 43 and 44 when seenalong the upward-downward direction G are the same shape and have thesame size. Furthermore, a center of the first opening 43 and a center ofthe second opening 44 are arranged in the direction perpendicular to theaxial line A1.

Description will further specifically be made as to the fiber supplyport portion 42. The fiber supply port portion 42 has, as its innerperipheral surfaces, a first inner surface 42 a, a second inner surface42 b, a third inner surface 42 c, and a fourth inner surface 42 d.

The first inner surface 42 a is disposed on the proximal side of thebarrel 40 in an axial direction thereof and is formed in a planeperpendicular to the axial line A1. The second inner surface 42 b isdisposed on a distal side of the barrel 40 in the axial directionthereof and is formed in the plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

The third inner surface 42 c is formed in a plane that is parallel tothe pass-through direction of the fiber supply port portion 42 and theaxial line A1. The fourth inner surface 42 d is formed in a plane thatfaces the third inner surface 42 c and is parallel to the third innersurface 42 c.

The first opening 43 is constituted of edges of the inner surfaces 42 a,42 b, 42 c and 42 d on an outer peripheral surface side. The secondopening 44 is constituted of edges of the inner surfaces 42 a, 42 b, 42c and 42 d on an inner hole 40 a side of the barrel 40.

A maximum length L1 of the fiber supply port portion 42 along the axialline A1 of the second opening 44 is set to a length of 1 time or moreand 2 times or less as much as a pitch P of a flight 52 disposed in afiber pull-in section 54 of the screw 50 which will be described later.That is, L1 has a relation of P≦L1≦2·P. The fiber pull-in section 54 isan example of a portion of the screw 50 which faces the second opening44 in the direction perpendicular to the axial line A1.

It is to be noted that in the present embodiment, the maximum length L1of the fiber supply port portion 42 along the axial line A1 of thesecond opening 44 is a length of the inner surface 42 c or 42 d alongthe axial line A1. Furthermore, a length of the first opening 43 alongthe axial line A1 is also L1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in which a state where the barrel 40and the screw 50 are cut along the cross section perpendicular to theaxial line A1 is seen from a screw driving section 60 side of theproximal side toward the distal side. As shown in FIG. 4, an arrowindicates a rotating direction RD of the screw 50. In the screw 50, asdescribed later, an axial line A2 of the screw 50 is disposed coaxiallywith the axial line A1 of the barrel 40.

Here, in the barrel 40, a first range R1 and a second range R2 are seton the basis of the rotating direction of the screw 50. The first rangeR1 is defined as a range where the screw 50 rotates downward. The secondrange R2 is defined as a range where the screw 50 rotates upward.

At least one of edges of the second opening 44 along the axial line A1is disposed in the first range R1. In other words, according to thepresent embodiment, an edge 42 e of the third inner surface 42 c thatforms a part of the second opening 44 on the inner hole 40 a side of thebarrel 40 is disposed in the first range R1. That is, the third innersurface 42 c is disposed in the first range R1.

Furthermore, a position of the edge 42 e disposed in the first range R1among the edges of the second opening 44 along the axial line A1 is setas follows. FIG. 5 is a view to explain the position of the edge 42 edisposed in the first range R1 among the edges of the second opening 44along the axial line A1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in which astate of the barrel 40 cut along the cross section perpendicular to theaxial line A1 is seen from the proximal side toward the distal side.

As shown in FIG. 5, when an inner diameter of the inner hole 40 a of thebarrel 40 is R, the edge 42 e disposed in the first range R1 among theedges of the second opening 44 along the axial line A1 is disposed atone of positions between a first position P1 and a second position P2which contain these positions P1 and P2 in the width direction W fromthe axial line A1. In other words, the edge 42 e is disposed at thefirst position P1, the second position P2, or the position between thefirst position P1 and the second position P2.

The first position P1 is a position distant as much as a distance(R·√3/2) from the axial line A1 in the width direction W. The secondposition P2 is a position distant as much as the distance R from theaxial line A1 in the width direction. That is, the first position P1 isa position of 60 degrees from an upper end P4 of the barrel 40 in therotating direction of the screw 50, and the second position P2 is aposition of 90 degrees from the upper end P4 of the barrel 40 in therotating direction of the screw 50.

In the present embodiment, as one example, one end of the second opening44 in the width direction W is present at the first position P1 distantas much as the distance (R·√3/2) from the axial line A1 in a planar viewseen along the upward-downward direction G.

In the second opening 44, another edge 42 f along the axial line A1 isdisposed in, for example, the second range R2 in the present embodiment.In other words, the fourth inner surface 42 d of the fiber supply portportion 42 is disposed in the second range R2.

The discharging section 47 is connected to the distal end of the barrel40. The discharging section 47 has a conical portion that is continuouswith the distal end of the barrel 40 and has a decreasing diameter, anda bending tube portion that is continuous with this conical portion andbends downward. The discharging section 47 is formed so that theabove-mentioned molten resin including the fiber F can flow through aninner portion of the discharging section.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heater 45 is provided in the outer peripheralsurface 40 b of the barrel 40. For example, current is supplied to theheater 45 to heat.

The fiber F wound around, for example, a bobbin or the like is disposedabove the fiber supply port portion 42.

The screw 50 is rotatably received in the barrel 40. FIG. 6 is a sideview showing the barrel 40 and the screw 50 in a partially cut state. Asshown in FIG. 6, the screw 50 has a shaft body 51 and the flight 52formed spirally around the outer peripheral surface of the shaft body51. In the screw 50, the axial line A2 of the shaft body 51 is disposedcoaxially with the axial line A1 of the barrel 40.

Furthermore, the screw 50 has a resin material melting section 53, thefiber pull-in section 54, and a fiber kneading section 55. The resinmaterial melting section 53, the fiber pull-in section 54 and the fiberkneading section 55 are formed in order from a proximal end of the screw50 which is coupled with the screw driving section 60 toward a distalend thereof.

The resin material melting section 53 has a supplying section 53 a, acompressing section 53 b, and a measuring section 53 c. The supplyingsection 53 a, the compressing section 53 b and the measuring section 53c are formed in order from the proximal end of the screw 50 toward thedistal end thereof.

The shaft body 51 of the supplying section 53 a is formed into acolumnar shape. The shaft body 51 of the compressing section 53 b isformed into a conical shape whose diameter increases toward the distalside. The conical shape of the shaft body 51 of the compressing section53 b is contrived and formed to decrease a clearance between the shaftbody 51 and the inner peripheral surface 40 c of the barrel 40 withdecrease of a volume due to melting of the resin material M.

The shaft body 51 of the measuring section 53 c is formed into acolumnar shape whose diameter is larger than a diameter of the shaftbody 51 of the supplying section 53 a. The shaft body 51 of themeasuring section 53 c is formed into a columnar shape whose diameter isthe same as that of one end of the shaft body 51 of the compressingsection 53 b.

The fiber pull-in section 54 is formed at a position of the screw 50which faces the fiber supply port portion 42 in a directionperpendicular to the axial line A2. The shaft body 51 of the fiberpull-in section 54 is formed into a columnar shape whose diameter issmaller than that of the measuring section 53 c.

A boundary portion P3 between the fiber pull-in section 54 and themeasuring section 53 c may be disposed on the proximal side of thebarrel 40 including a position that faces a proximal side edge of thesecond opening 44, i.e., an edge of the first inner surface 42 a on aninner peripheral surface side of the barrel 40, in the directionperpendicular to the axial line A2. In the present embodiment, as oneexample, the boundary portion P3 faces the edge of the second opening 44on the inner peripheral surface side of the first inner surface 42 a inthe direction perpendicular to the axial line A2.

The fiber pull-in section 54 has a length to sufficiently achievewinding of the fiber F into the molten resin. Here, a length L2 of thefiber pull-in section 54 along the axial line A2 is described. A distalend F1 of the fiber F starts to be wound into the molten resin in arange of 90 degrees to 180 degrees from a base point of the upper end P4in the rotating direction of the screw 50. Consequently, the winding ofthe fiber F into the molten resin is started in a portion of the fiberpull-in section 54 on a distal side of the second opening 44 in thedirection perpendicular to the axial line A2.

When the screw 50 rotates at least once after the winding of the fiber Finto the molten resin is started, the winding of the fiber F into themolten resin is sufficiently achieved. That is, when the fiber pull-insection 54 further has a length of one pitch P of the flight 52 from theposition at which the winding of the fiber F into the molten resin isstarted, the winding of the fiber F into the molten resin issufficiently achieved.

Consequently, the length L2 of the fiber pull-in section 54 along theaxial line A2 is L2=(a shift length L3 of an edge of the second opening44 on a proximal side of the axial line A1 into the fiber pull-insection 54)+(the maximum length L1 of the second opening 44 along theaxial line A1)+(the length P of one pitch of the flight 52).

The shift length L3 of the edge of the second opening 44 on the proximalside of the axial line A1 into the fiber pull-in section 54 is thelength along which the edge of the second opening 44 on the proximalside of the axial line A1 shifts into the fiber pull-in section 54 whenseen in the direction perpendicular to the axial line A2 as describedabove. In the present embodiment, the boundary portion P3 faces theinner peripheral surface side edge of the barrel 40 of the first innersurface 42 a of the second opening 44 in the direction perpendicular tothe axial line A2. Consequently, the shift length L3 is L3=0. In otherwords, when the inside of the barrel 40 is seen through the secondopening 44, the measuring section 53 c does not shift into the secondopening 44.

Consequently, in the present embodiment, the length L2 of the fiberpull-in section 54 along the axial line A2 is L2=(L1+P).

The fiber kneading section 55 has a conical portion 55 a and a main bodyportion 55 b. The shaft body 51 of the conical portion 55 a is formedcontinuously with the shaft body 51 of the fiber pull-in section 54. Theshaft body 51 of the conical portion 55 a is formed into a conical shapewhose diameter increases toward a distal end of the screw 50.

The shaft body 51 of the main body portion 55 b is formed continuouslywith the shaft body 51 of the conical portion 55 a. The shaft body 51 ofthe main body portion 55 b is formed so that its diameter is larger thana diameter of the shaft body 51 of the fiber pull-in section 54. In thepresent embodiment, as one example, the shaft body 51 of the main bodyportion 55 b is formed so that its diameter is the same as a diameter ofthe shaft body 51 of the measuring section 53 c.

As described above, the flight 52 is formed spirally around the outerperipheral surface of the shaft body 51. At least a portion of theflight 52 which is disposed in the fiber pull-in section 54 is formed atan equal pitch. In the present embodiment, as one example, the flight 52is formed as a whole spirally around the outer peripheral surface of theshaft body 51 at the pitch P. A diameter of the flight 52 is constant inone example. The flight 52 has a small clearance between the flight andthe inner peripheral surface of the barrel 40 so that the flight doesnot come in contact with the inner peripheral surface during therotation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the proximal end of the screw 50 is fixed to thescrew driving section 60. The screw driving section 60 is constituted sothat the screw 50 is rotatable around the axial line A2 of the screw 50.The screw driving section 60 has, for example, an electric motor androtates the screw 50 by rotation of the electric motor.

The injecting section 70 is constituted so that the molten resinplasticized in the plasticizing device 30 and including the fiber Ftherein can be injected. The injecting section 70 has an injectioncylinder 71, an injection plunger 72 received in the injection cylinder71, an advancing/retreating driving section 73 that advances andretreats the injecting section 70 relative to the mold set 80 in theforward-backward direction L, a plunger driving section 74 that operatesthe injection plunger 72 forward and backward, and the heater 45.

The injection cylinder 71 is formed into, for example, a cylindricalshape and has a receiving space 71 a therein. A distal portion of theinjection cylinder 71 is coupled with the discharging section 47 of thebarrel 40. The receiving space 71 a communicates with the dischargingsection 47.

Furthermore, a discharging section 71 b is formed in the distal portionof the injection cylinder 71. The discharging section 71 b is formedinto a nozzle shape. The discharging section 71 b is formed so that themolten resin including the fiber F can flow therethrough.

The injection plunger 72 is received in the receiving space 71 a. Theinjection plunger 72 is formed to be movable in the receiving space 71 aalong an axial line of the injection cylinder 71. Furthermore, theinjection plunger 72 is constituted so that the molten resin includingthe fiber F can be pushed outside.

The advancing/retreating driving section 73 is fixed to, for example,the injection cylinder 71 and constituted so that the injection cylinder71 is movable in the forward-backward direction L along directionsapproaching and leaving the mold set 80. The advancing/retreatingdriving section 73 has, for example, a ball screw device 73 a, and adriving section 73 c which rotates a screw portion 73 b of the ballscrew device 73 a. A nut portion 73 d of the ball screw device 73 a isfixed to the injection cylinder 71.

When the screw portion 73 b is rotated by the driving section 73 c, theinjecting section 70 is moved in the forward-backward direction L.

The heater 45 is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of theinjection cylinder 71.

The mold set 80 has a fixed mold 81 and a movable mold 82. The fixedmold 81 and the movable mold 82 are combined to form a cavity 83 inwhich a molded part is formed. In the fixed mold 81, a through hole 84is formed through which the molten resin injected from the dischargingsection 71 b of the injection cylinder 71 passes.

The clamping device 90 has a fixed platen 91, a movable platen 92, atoggle mechanism 93 whose one end is coupled with the movable platen 92,a link housing 95 coupled with the other end of the toggle mechanism 93,a tie bar 96 whose one end is attached to the fixed platen 91 whereasthe other end thereof is attached to the link housing 95, and a clampingdriving section 94 that drives the toggle mechanism 93 provided in thelink housing 95 to clamp the mold.

The fixed mold 81 is fixed to the fixed platen 91. The movable mold 82is fixed to the movable platen 92. The toggle mechanism 93 isconstituted so that the movable platen 92 is movable to open and closethe mold set 80, i.e., to open and close the movable mold 82 relative tothe fixed mold 81.

The controller 100 is constituted so that, for example, the heater 45,the hopper section 46, the screw driving section 60, the driving section73 c, the plunger driving section 74 and the clamping driving section 94can be controlled.

Specifically, the controller 100 is constituted to heat the heater 45 sothat a temperature of the barrel 40 can be controlled. Furthermore, thecontroller 100 is constituted to control the hopper section 46 so thatan amount of the resin material M to be supplied can be controlled.

Furthermore, the controller 100 is constituted to control the screwdriving section 60 so that the rotation of the screw 50 can becontrolled. Furthermore, the controller 100 is constituted to controlthe driving section 73 c so that an advancing/retreating operation ofthe injecting section 70 can be controlled. Furthermore, the controller100 is constituted to control the plunger driving section 74 so that theadvancing/retreating operation of the injection plunger 72 in theinjection cylinder 71 can be controlled.

Next, there will be described the flight 52 of the screw 50 which can beseen through the second opening 44 of the fiber supply port portion 42.It is to be noted that here, when it is described that the flight can beseen, it is indicated that the flight can be seen in a state where theresin material M is not supplied into the barrel 40.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state where the fiber supply portportion 42 is seen along the upward-downward direction G. FIG. 7 showsbehaviors in which by the rotation of the screw 50, the flight 52 movingin the fiber supply port portion 42 apparently moves to the distal sideof the barrel 40, in order of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g).

Here, for the description, a virtual line V1 parallel to the axial lineA1 is set. The virtual line V1 is disposed at an optional position inthe fiber supply port portion 42. In the planar view shown in FIG. 7, anintersection point between the virtual line V1 and the flight 52 isdefined as an intersection point P5.

When the screw 50 rotates, the intersection point P5 advances from theproximal side of the barrel 40 as shown in FIG. 7(a) apparently towardthe distal end of the barrel 40 as shown in FIG. 7(d).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7(e), when the flight 52 apparentlyadvances to the distal side, the intersection point P5 moves to the edgeof the second opening 44 on the distal side, i.e., the distal side fromthe second inner surface 42 b of the fiber supply port portion 42, sothat the intersection point P5 cannot be seen through the second opening44.

However, when the length L1 of the fiber supply port portion 42 alongthe axial line A1 has a relation of P≦L1≦2P, a portion of the flight 52on the proximal side of the barrel 40 on the virtual line V1 appearsthrough the second opening 44, and hence the intersection point P5between the portion on the proximal side of the barrel 40 and thevirtual line V1 newly appears. That is, the intersection point P5 canalways be seen through the second opening 44.

When the screw 50 further rotates, the intersection point P5 that newlyappears apparently advances to the distal side of the barrel 40 as shownin FIG. 7(f). Thus, the maximum length L1 of the fiber supply portportion 42 along the axial line A1 of the barrel 40 has the relation ofP≦L1≦2·P, so that the intersection point P5 can always be seen throughthe second opening 44.

It is to be noted that the position of the virtual line V1 shown in FIG.7 is one example. Even when the virtual line V1 is set to any positionof the second opening 44 in the width direction W, the intersectionpoint P5 can always be seen through the second opening 44.

Hereinafter, one example of an operation of the molding apparatus 10will be described. The controller 100 drives the heater 45 to heat thebarrel 40. The temperature of the barrel 40 is detected by a temperaturesensor or the like and sent to the controller 100.

After the temperature of the barrel 40 rises up to a predeterminedvalue, the controller 100 operates the hopper section 46 to supply theresin material M in the form of the pellets into the barrel 40 throughthe resin material supply port portion 41.

Furthermore, the controller 100 controls the screw driving section 60 torotate and drive the screw 50. When the screw 50 rotates, the resinmaterial M moves from the supplying section 53 a of the screw 50 to thecompressing section 53 b. Furthermore, the resin material M is heated bythe heater 45, molten by the compressing section 53 b to form the moltenresin, and sent to the measuring section 53 c.

The molten resin is transferred toward the discharging section 47through a spiral space defined by the inner peripheral surface of thebarrel 40 and the flight 52, in accordance with the rotation of thescrew 50.

Next, at a timing when the molten resin reaches the fiber pull-insection 54, the fiber F is supplied. A supplying method of thereinforcing fiber may automatically be performed by, for example, thecontroller 100. As this one example, the fiber F may be dropped to thefiber supply port portion 42 by rotating the bobbin or the like aroundwhich the fiber F is wound, under the control of the controller 100.Alternatively, an operator may drop the reinforcing fiber to the fibersupply port portion 42.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing that a state where the barrel40 and the screw 50 are cut along the cross section perpendicular to theaxial line A1 is seen from the proximal side toward the distal side.FIG. 8 shows a state where the distal end F1 of the fiber F is suppliedthrough the fiber supply port portion 42 into the barrel 40. As shown inFIG. 8, it is preferable that the distal end F1 of the fiber F isdropped to the upper end P4 of the screw 50 or the vicinity of the upperend P4. In other words, the fiber F wound around the bobbin or the likeis disposed at a position at which, when the fiber F is dropped, thedistal end F1 of the fiber is dropped to the upper end P4 of the screw50 or the vicinity of the upper end P4.

When the distal end F1 of the fiber F is dropped to the upper end P4 orthe vicinity of the upper end P4 and comes in contact with the surfaceof the molten resin between the flights 52 adjacent to each other in anaxial line A2 direction, the fiber F enters into the molten resin.Further, the distal end F1 is wound into the flow of the molten resinthat flows spirally along the rotation of the screw 50, whereby thefiber F40 is pulled into the barrel 40 through the fiber supply portportion 42.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state where the fiber supply portportion 42 is seen along the upward-downward direction G. FIG. 9 shows astate where the distal end F1 of the fiber F is wound into the moltenresin to move with the transfer of the molten resin.

It is to be noted that a position of the distal end F1 of the fiber Fwound into the molten resin advances through a first region X1, a secondregion X2, a third region X3, and a fourth region X4 in order with therotation of the screw 50 as shown in FIG. 8.

The first region X1 is a range from the upper end P4 of the barrel 40 ofthe base point to 90 degrees in the rotating direction of the screw 50.That is, the first region X1 is a range of 0 degree or more and smallerthan 90 degrees while the upper end P4 is defined as 0 degree.

The second region X2 is a range of 90 degrees or more and smaller than180 degrees in the rotating direction of the screw 50 on the basis ofthe upper end P4 of the base point. The third region X3 is a range of180 degrees or more and smaller than 270 degrees in the rotatingdirection of the screw 50 on the basis of the upper end P4 of the basepoint. The fourth region X4 is a range of 270 degrees or more andsmaller than 0 degree in the rotating direction of the screw 50 on thebasis of the upper end P4 of the base point.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the barrel 40 and the screw 50in a partially cut state. FIG. 10 shows a state where the fiber F ispulled into the barrel 40. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the distal end F1of the fiber F and a portion thereof after the distal end fall on themolten resin and are supported by the flight 52 in the first region X1,thereby stabilizing a posture of the fiber on the molten resin.

Furthermore, when the length L1 of the second opening 44 along the axialline A1 of the barrel 40 has the relation of P≦L1≦2·P, the flight 52always appears on a line passing a point to which the fiber F issupplied in parallel with the axial line A1 as described above withreference to FIG. 7.

Consequently, even when the fiber F is pulled inside with the rotationof the screw 50, the fiber F always falls on the flight 52 to besupported by the flight 52 and takes a posture in the regions X1 and X2as a fixed posture as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

When the posture of the fiber F in the regions X1 and X2 is alwaysconstant, an amount of the fiber F to be pulled into the barrel 40 perunit time with the rotation of the screw 50 always becomes constant.

The fiber F enters from the first region X1 into the second region X2,to be pulled toward a center in the width direction. That is, the fiberF advances to the second region and more, to be wound into the moltenresin.

Furthermore, when the fiber F advances from the second region X2 to thethird region X3, its wind-in direction changes from a downward wind-indirection to an upward wind-in direction. In this case, the fiber F isfirmly hooked at an edge 52 a of the flight 52 as shown in FIG. 10.

Consequently, the fiber F is prevented from slipping relative to therotation of the screw 50, and hence the amount of the fiber F to bepulled into the barrel 40 per unit time further becomes stable.

When the fiber F pulled into the barrel 40 advances from the fiberpull-in section 54 to the fiber kneading section 55, the fiber is cut bythe flight 52 and kneaded into the molten resin. Furthermore, an amountof the molten resin to be transferred is measured by the fiber kneadingsection 55.

The measured molten resin is sent into the injection cylinder 71 of theinjecting section 70 through the discharging section 47.

When the molten resin kneaded with the fiber F is sent into theinjection cylinder 71, the controller 100 drives the clamping drivingsection 94 to move the movable platen 92 via the toggle mechanism 93,thereby closing the mold set 80.

Next, the controller 100 drives the advancing/retreating driving section73 to bring the injecting section 70 close to the mold set 80, and movesthe injecting section 70 to a position at which the discharging section51 b communicates with the cavity 83 of the mold set 80.

Next, the controller 100 drives the plunger driving section 74 of theinjecting section 70 at a predetermined timing to perform the advancingoperation of the injection plunger 72, thereby injecting the moltenresin of the injection cylinder 71 through the through hole 84 into themold set 80.

After end of an injecting operation, the controller 100 drives theclamping driving section 64 to open the mold set 80 at a predeterminedtiming at which molding is completed.

Next, the controller 100 controls the advancing/retreating drivingsection 73, thereby retracting the injecting section 70 from the moldset 80.

As described above, an injection molding operation of one cycle iscompleted. In a case where injection molding is continuously carriedout, the controller 100 performs, only once, each of an operation ofdriving the advancing/retreating driving section 73 to bring theinjecting section 70 close to the mold set 80 and moving the injectingsection 70 to a position at which the discharging section 51 bcommunicates with the cavity 83 of the mold set 80, and an operation ofdriving the advancing/retreating driving section 73 to retract theinjecting section 70 from the mold set 80 at the end of the continuousinjection molding operation.

There are continuously repeatedly carried out the other operationsincluding a clamping operation to the mold set 80, an injectingoperation of the molten resin (an injection charging operation and apressure keeping operation), a cooling operation (a molding solidifyingoperation), a mold opening operation to the mold set 80, a removingoperation of the molded part, and a measuring operation of a material.

In the molding apparatus 10 having such a constitution, the maximumlength L1 of the second opening 44 of the fiber supply port portion 42along the axial line A1 of the barrel 40 is set to L1=P≦L1≦2·P.Consequently, the fiber F always falls on the flight 52 to be supportedby the flight 52 and its posture in the regions X1 and X2 becomes adetermined posture as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. When the posture of thefiber F is always constant, the amount of the fiber F to be pulled intothe barrel 40 per unit time with the rotation of the screw 50 alwaysbecomes constant.

Consequently, an amount of the fiber F to be included in the moltenresin can be uniform, and hence it is possible to form the molded partswhich are uniform in physical properties such as strength and rigidity.

Further, when L1≦2·P is set, it is possible to prevent the length of thebarrel 40 along the axial line A1 from being redundant while obtainingthe above-mentioned effect. Further, when L1≦2·P is set, it is possibleto prevent the length of the second opening 44 itself from beingredundant, and hence it is possible to prevent generation of disturbancewhen the fiber F is pulled into the barrel 40. For example, thedisturbance means that the second opening 44 becomes large to lower atemperature of the molten resin, and hence physical properties of themolten resin change.

Furthermore, in the second opening 44 of the fiber supply port portion42, one end in the width direction W is disposed at the first positionP1 in the first range R1 that is a range where the screw 50 rotatesdownward, so that it is possible to prevent the fiber F from coming incontact with an edge of the one end of the second opening 44 in thewidth direction W.

Specifically, when the screw 50 rotates, the fiber F moves outside inthe width direction W. At this time, there is the fear that the fiber Fcomes in contact with the edge of the one end of the second opening 44in the width direction.

However, the one end of the second opening 44 in the width direction islocated at the first position P1, thereby preventing the fiber F fromcoming in contact with the edge of the second opening 44 even when thefiber moves outside in the width direction W.

Similarly, even when the edge of the one end of the second opening 44 inthe width direction is interposed between the first position P1 and thesecond position P2 or is located at the second position P2, it ispossible to prevent the fiber F from coming in contact with the edge ofthe one end of the second opening 44 in the width direction W.

Furthermore, the diameter of the shaft body 51 of the fiber pull-insection 54 of the screw 50 is smaller than the diameter of the shaftbody 51 of the measuring section 53 c and a diameter of the fiberkneading section 55. Consequently, it is possible to shorten a length ofthe fiber which is required to wind the fiber F into the molten resinaround the screw 50. Consequently, a ratio of a wind-in amount relativeto a rotation amount of the screw 50 can be increased, and hence thefiber F can efficiently be wound into the molten resin.

Furthermore, the diameter of the shaft body 51 of the fiber pull-insection 54 of the screw 50 is smaller than the diameter of the shaftbody 51 of the measuring section 53 c and the diameter of the fiberkneading section 55, and consequently, in the fiber pull-in section 54,a height of the flight 52 relative to the molten resin is higher thananother region of the screw 50.

The fiber F enters into a stepped portion formed between the edge 52 aof the flight 52 and the molten resin, when the rotation of the screw 50changes from the downward rotation to the upward rotation, i.e., whenthe fiber enters from the third region R3 into the fourth region R4.

As described above, when the height of the flight 52 relative to themolten resin increases in the fiber pull-in section 54, the steppedportion provided between the edge 52 a of the flight 52 and the moltenresin becomes large, and hence a holding force of the fiber F in thisstepped portion can increase.

Furthermore, the measuring section 53 c is not positioned in the secondopening 44 when the second opening 44 is seen in the directionperpendicular to the axial line A2. Consequently, it is possible toprevent the fiber F from being supplied to the resin material meltingsection 53.

In the resin material melting section 53, the melting/kneading of theresin material M is performed, and hence viscosity of the resin materialM is high. In a case where the fiber F is supplied to the resin materialmelting section 53, the viscosity of the resin material M is high, thefiber F receives a shearing force to be finely cut, and hence the fiberF might not maintain its predetermined length (dimension).

In this case, the dimension of the fiber F becomes excessively small anda function of a reinforcing material might not sufficiently be exerted.As described above, in the molding apparatus 10, the fiber F does notenter into the resin material melting section 53, the fiber F thereforeis not cut more finely than necessary, it is possible to keep the fiberF with the predetermined length, and hence the fiber F can sufficientlyexert the function of the reinforcing material.

It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the aboveembodiment and various modifications can be performed without departingfrom the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, a specificconstitution of each portion, a specific control procedure in each stepand the like are not limited to those illustrated in the aboveembodiment and can suitably be changed. Furthermore, even when parts ofconstitutional requirements of the above embodiment are omitted, it ispossible to achieve the present invention.

A shape of the resin material M supplied from the resin material supplyport portion 41 is not limited to the pellet shape. The shape of theresin material M may be another shape such as a powder shape, a grainshape, or a chip shape.

Furthermore, the fiber F is not limited to a carbon fiber or a glassfiber. The fiber F may be constituted of another material such as anaramid fiber, a boron fiber, or a polyethylene fiber.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as one example, one end of thesecond opening 44 of the fiber supply port portion 42 in the widthdirection W is located at the first position P1, i.e., the positiondistant as much as the distance (R·√3/2) from the axial line A1 in theplanar view of the barrel 40 seen along the upward-downward direction G.

In a modification, as shown in FIG. 11, the edge 42 e of one end of thesecond opening 44 in the width direction W may be located at the secondposition P2, i.e., a position distant as much as the distance R from theaxial line A1 in the planar view seen along the upward-downwarddirection G. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, the edge 42 e of oneend of the second opening 44 in the width direction w may be located ata position between the first position P1 and the second position P2 inthe planar view seen along the upward-downward direction G.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the edge 42 f of the other endof the second opening 44 of the fiber supply port portion 42 in thewidth direction W is located in the first range R1. In another example,the edge 42 f of the other end of the second opening 44 in the widthdirection W may be located in the second range R2 as shown in FIG. 13.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, the other end of the second opening 44in the width direction W may be located between a position distant asmuch as the distance (R·√3/2) from the axial line A1 and a positiondistant as much as the distance R from the axial line A1, includingthese two positions, in the planar view seen along the upward-downwarddirection G.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the fiber supply port portion 42has a shape in which the first opening 43 and the second opening 44 arerectangular in a planar view seen in the direction perpendicular to theaxial line A1. It is to be noted that the shape of the openings 43 and44 is not limited to the rectangular shape. In another example, as shownin FIG. 15, the fiber supply port portion 42 may be formed into a shapein which the first opening 43 and the second opening 44 are trapezoidalin the planar view seen along the direction perpendicular to the axialline A1. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, the fiber supply portportion 42 may be formed into, for example, a shape in which the firstopening 43 and the second opening 44 are circular in the planar viewseen along the direction perpendicular to the axial line A1.

In this way, also when the first opening 43 and the second opening 44 ofthe fiber supply port portion 42 have a shape other than the rectangularshape in the planar view seen in the direction perpendicular to theaxial line A1 of the barrel 40, the maximum length L1 of the secondopening 44 along the axial line A1 of the barrel 40 may only have therelation of P≦L1≦2·P, and one end of the second opening 44 in the widthdirection W which is disposed in the first range R1 where the rotatingdirection of the screw 50 becomes the downward direction may only belocated between a position distant as much as the distance (R·√3/2) fromthe axial line A1 and a position distant as much as the distance R fromthe axial line A1, including these two positions, in the planar viewseen along the upward-downward direction G.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a cross section of the fibersupply port portion 42 is formed to be constant in the directionperpendicular to the axial line A1 of the barrel 40. That is, the firstopening 43 and the second opening 44 of the fiber supply port portion 42have the shape and the same size. Furthermore, an edge of the firstopening 43 and an edge of the second opening 44 are arranged to besuperimposed on each other in the direction perpendicular to the axialline A1.

In another example, the first opening 43 and the second opening 44 ofthe fiber supply port portion 42 may have shapes different from eachother. Alternatively, the openings may have the same shape and differentsizes. Alternatively, the openings may have the same shape and the samesize and may be arranged so that centers of the openings shift withoutbeing superimposed on each other in the direction perpendicular to theaxial line A1.

Also when the fiber supply port portion 42 has such a shape, the maximumlength L1 of the second opening 44 along the axial line A1 of the barrel40 may only have the relation of P≦L1≦2·P, and the one end of the secondopening 44 in the width direction W which is disposed in the first rangeR1 where the rotating direction of the screw 50 becomes the downwarddirection may only be located between a position distant as much as thedistance (R·√3/2) from the axial line A1 and a position distant as muchas the distance R from the axial line A1, including these two positions,in the planar view seen along the upward-downward direction G.

Each of FIGS. 17 to 19 shows one of the above other examples of thefiber supply port portion 42. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a statewhere the fiber supply port portion 42 in which the first opening 43 andthe second opening 44 have the same shape and different sizes is seen inthe direction perpendicular to the axial line A1 of the barrel 40.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view along the axial line A1 which showsthe barrel 40 and the screw 50 shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is across-sectional view showing that a state where the barrel 40 and thescrew 50 shown in FIG. 17 are cut along a cross section perpendicular tothe axial line A1 is seen from the proximal side toward the distal side.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the first opening 43 and the second opening44 are rectangular. The first opening 43 is larger than the secondopening 44. A center of the first opening 43 and a center of the secondopening 44 are arranged to be superimposed in the directionperpendicular to the axial line A1. In other words, the first opening 43is disposed coaxially with the second opening 44. Consequently, each ofthe inner surfaces 42 a, 42 b, 42 c and 42 d is formed as a tiltedsurface that tilts relative to the direction perpendicular to the axialline A1. The length L1 of the second opening 44 along the axial line A1has the relation of P≦L1≦2·P.

Furthermore, FIG. 20 is a side view of the molding apparatus 10 showinga modification of the plasticizing device 30. As shown in FIG. 20, theplasticizing device 30 does not have a posture in which the axial lineA1 of the barrel 40 is parallel to the horizontal direction, and mayhave a structure that tilts relative to the horizontal direction.Specifically, in the barrel 40, its axial line A1 tilts relative to thehorizontal direction, and hence in a side plane view, the barrelconstitutes a V-shape with the injecting section 70, and hence thebarrel may be coupled with the injecting section 70.

In this manner, due to the structure in which the axial line A1 of thebarrel 40 tilts relative to the horizontal direction and in the sideplane view, the barrel forms the V-shape together with the injectioncylinder 71 of the injecting section 70, the discharging section 47 doesnot have a right-angle shape.

When the discharging section 47 has the right-angle shape, a resistanceof flow of the molten resin in the discharging section 47 increases, andretention of the molten resin in the discharging section 47 might easilyoccur. However, the discharging section 47 does not have to be formedinto the right-angle shape as in the modification shown in FIG. 20, sothat a fluidity of the molten resin including the fiber F of thereinforcing fiber in the discharging section 47 can improve.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plasticizing device comprising: a barrel of a tubular shape comprising a resin material supply port portion which is formed in a peripheral wall portion and to which a resin material is supplied, and a fiber supply port portion which is formed on a distal side from the resin material supply port portion in the peripheral wall portion and to which a continuous fiber is supplied; and a screw that comprises a shaft body, and a flight of a spiral shape formed integrally on a peripheral surface of the shaft body, and is received in the barrel, wherein the barrel is disposed with a posture in which its axial line intersects a gravitational direction, and a maximum length of an opening in the barrel of the fiber supply port portion along an axial direction of the barrel is 1 time or more and 2 times or less as much as a pitch of the flight disposed in a portion of the screw which faces the opening in the barrel of the fiber supply port portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial line of the barrel.
 2. The plasticizing device according to claim 1, wherein, in a planar view of the fiber supply port portion when the fiber supply port portion is seen in the gravitational direction, one end of the opening of the fiber supply port portion in a width direction perpendicular to the axial direction is located between a position distant as much as a distance R(√3/2), in which R is an inner diameter of the barrel, from the axial line in the width direction and a position distant as much as a distance R from the axial in the width direction line, including these two positions, in a range where a rotating direction of the screw around the axial line becomes a downward direction along the gravitational direction.
 3. The plasticizing device according to claim 2, wherein, in the planar view of the fiber supply port portion when the fiber supply port portion is seen in the gravitational direction, the one end of the opening of the fiber supply port portion in the width direction is located at the position distant as much as the distance R from the axial line in the range where the rotating direction of the screw around the axial line becomes the downward direction along the gravitational direction.
 4. The plasticizing device according to claim 2, wherein, in the planar view of the fiber supply port portion when the fiber supply port portion is seen in the gravitational direction, the other end of the fiber supply port portion in the width direction is located in a range where the rotating direction of the screw around the axial line becomes an upward direction along the gravitational direction.
 5. The plasticizing device according to claim 3 wherein, in the planar view of the fiber supply port portion when the fiber supply port portion is seen in the gravitational direction, the other end of the fiber supply port portion in the width direction is located in a range where the rotating direction of the screw around the axial line becomes an upward direction along the gravitational direction.
 6. The plasticizing device according to claim 1, wherein the screw comprises a supplying section, a compressing section, a measuring section, a fiber pull-in section, and a fiber kneading section, and the sections are arranged in order from a proximal end of the screw toward a distal end thereof, the fiber pull-in section faces the opening in the direction perpendicular to the axial line, and in the shaft body, a diameter of a portion in which the fiber pull-in section is formed is smaller than a diameter of a portion in which the measuring section is formed and a diameter of a portion in which the fiber kneading section is formed.
 7. An injection device comprising: the plasticizing device according to claim 1; a discharging section connected to a distal end of the barrel; and an injecting section coupled with the discharging section and configured to inject a resin supplied through the discharging section and molten and kneaded in the plasticizing device.
 8. A molding apparatus comprising: the injection device according to claim 7; and a clamping device configured to clamp a mold into which the resin is injected by the injection device.
 9. A manufacturing method of molded parts comprising: supplying a resin material, into a barrel that receives a screw, from a resin material supply port portion formed in a peripheral wall portion of the barrel; and supplying a continuous fiber into the barrel from a fiber supply port portion formed on a distal side of the barrel from the resin material supply port portion in the peripheral wall portion of the barrel and having an opening that communicates with the inside of the barrel, wherein a maximum length of the barrel along an axial direction thereof is 1 time or more and 2 times or less as much as a pitch of a flight disposed in a portion of the screw which faces the opening of the fiber supply port portion in a direction perpendicular to an axial line of the barrel. 